Tag Archives: Olympics

It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Over the past decade, Tara has created a small empire of iconic restaurants in the ever-growing travel destination of Palm Springs. Under the F10 family is the prominent brunch hotspot Cheeky’s, the handsomely appointed modern steakhouse Mr. Lyons and their classic cocktail hideaway Seymour’s, a lively and al fresco Italian eatery Birba, the sleek and serene hotel Alcazar, and perhaps their most active yet stealth operation – F10 Catering, the go-to service for top-tier brand and celebrity events in the desert area. Tara joins us.

Seasoned hospitality veteran Greg Rowen oversees the restaurants for Foundation 10 Creative as Managing Partner. In San Francisco he was previously General Manager of Traci des Jardins’ acclaimed Jardiniere and later the opening General Manager for Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills. We’ll chat with Greg about the revitalization and repositioning of Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. There is more on the plate than just another premium steakhouse.

For the 3rd time The Olympics is returning to Los Angeles in 2028. Did Los Angeles get a good deal for 2028, or just a deal? The person to now update us with authority is our Olympic Games expert, Richard B. Perelman, a Palm Springs resident. Mr. Perelman was the youngest Vice President of The Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee(LAOOC) from 1980 to 1984 overseeing Press Operations. Rich is the Editor & Publisher of The Sports Examiner Daily, providing independent reporting on the Olympic Games (on a complimentary subscription basis).

“Alcazar Palm Springs (established in 2011 and a member of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels) is a serene and peaceful oasis right in the center of the cultural epicenter known as the uptown design district! This lush and relaxing 34- room boutique hotel is warm, modern & sleek, featuring Imported Italian linens, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces, poolside and private patios, salt water purified pool, cooling misters, Jacuzzi and a beautiful garden courtyard to lounge with your favorite book and glass of wine.” The hands-on, welcoming and hospitable General Manager is Robert Hunt. We’ll meet him.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

For the 3rd time The Olympics is returning to Los Angeles in 2028. Did Los Angeles get a good deal for 2028, or just a deal? The person to ask for an update is our Olympic Games expert, Richard B. Perelman, a Palm Springs resident. Mr. Perelman was the youngest Vice President of The Los Angeles OlympicOrganizing Committee (LAOOC) from 1980 to 1984 overseeing Press Operations. Thereafter he was the Editor of The Final Report, a massive 2-volume tome officially documenting the Games of the 23rd Olympiad (the 1984 Summer Olympics).

Rich is the Editor & Publisher of The Sports Examiner Daily. The goal of The Sports Examiner is to provide comprehensive, independent coverage of the Olympic Games, the events and sports that are featured within it and the greater Olympic Movement, with special focus on United States athletes and teams. In order to serve the widest-possible readership, the site is free to view. Olympic Games enthusiasts can also subscribe to the daily e-newsletter (without cost.)

It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Our always on-the -go Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of The Slapfish Restaurant Group,” joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” Chef Andrew responds to your questions. Chef Andrew discusses his fondness for fresh Hatch peppers from the Mesilla Valley in New Mexico. The short season is on right now.

Palm Springs resident Tara Lazar is the Founder of Foundation 10 Creative, a prominent, and growing, hospitality group in Palm Springs. Over the past decade, Tara has created a small empire of iconic restaurants in the ever-growing travel destination of Palm Springs. Under the F10 family is the prominent brunch hotspot Cheeky’s, the handsomely appointed modern steakhouse Mr. Lyons and their classic cocktail hideaway Seymour’s, a lively and al fresco Italian eatery Birba, the sleek and serene hotel Alcazar, and perhaps their most active yet stealth operation – F10 Catering, the go-to service for top-tier brand and celebrity events in the desert area. Tara joins us.

Seasoned hospitality veteran Greg Rowen oversees the restaurants for Foundation 10 Creative as Managing Partner. In San Francisco he was previously General Manager of Traci des Jardins’ acclaimed Jardiniere and later the opening General Manager for Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills. We’ll chat with Greg about the revitalization and repositioning of Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. There is more on the plate than just another premium steakhouse.

For the 3rd time The Olympics is returning to Los Angeles in 2028. Did Los Angeles get a good deal for 2028, or just a deal ? The person to now update us with authority is our Olympic Games expert, Richard B. Perelman, a Palm Springs resident. Mr. Perelman was the youngest Vice President of The Los Angeles OlympicOrganizing Committee (LAOOC) from 1980 to 1984 overseeing Press Operations. Rich is the Editor & Publisher of The Sports Examiner Daily, providing independent reporting on the Olympic Games.

Chef Scooter Kanfer is the menu maker (with proprietor Tony Di Lembo) at Palm Springs’ The Tropicale Restaurant& Coral Seas Lounge (Comfort Food for a Modern World.) “Every night at Tropicale is a party.” We spirit Chef Scooter away from her busy kitchen for a chat.

“Alcazar Palm Springs (established in 2011 and a member of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels) is a serene and peaceful oasis right in the center of the cultural epicenter known as the uptown design district! This lush and relaxing 34- room boutique hotel is warm, modern & sleek, featuring Imported Italian linens, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces, poolside and private patios, salt water purified pool, cooling misters, Jacuzzi and a beautiful garden courtyard to lounge with your favorite book and glass of wine.” The hands-on, welcoming and hospitable General Manager is Robert Hunt. We’ll meet him.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Over the past decade, Tara has created a small empire of iconic restaurants in the ever-growing travel destination of Palm Springs.

Under the F10 family is the locals’ favorite breakfast, lunch and brunch hotspot Cheeky’s, the handsomely appointed modern steakhouse Mr. Lyons and their classic cocktail hideaway Seymour’s, a lively and al fresco Italian eatery Birba, the sleek and serene hotel Alcazar, and perhaps their most active yet stealth operation – F10 Catering, the go-to service for top-tier brand and celebrity events in the desert area.

Initially started as a personal project to entertain and serve friends, F10 Creative has grown into a tight-knit network of some of the best food and beverage offerings in town, and continues to expand.

Tara is a Palm Springs native, and after spending time traveling, sampling flavors around the world, she returned home to build Cheeky’s as the first establishment in the F10 line. Tara has been hands-on in every step of the way for each property, from creating the menu and cooking on the line, to designing the atmosphere and touching tables nightly. She now employs almost 200 residents of Palm Springs, and has been an influential voice across staffing, sourcing and serving in the hospitality industry.

Tara joins us.

Seasoned hospitality veteran Greg Rowen oversees the restaurants for Foundation 10 Creative as Managing Partner. In San Francisco he was previously General Manager of Traci des Jardins’ acclaimed Jardiniere and later the opening General Manager for Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills.

“Mr. Lyons is the newest addition to the F10 family, opened in 2015 as a reimagining of Lyons English Grille. We’ve taken steak and created a “New Classic” giving it a conscientious modern update, with a menu that puts local, small farms first. Our grand dining room is pure old Hollywood glamour with a steak-centered menu boasting infinite sides and the kind of table side service that instantly transports you to a by gone era. Our classic cocktail hideaway, Seymour’s, offers something a little more relaxed, where you can savor a true classic cocktail or something seasonal and new. Mr. Lyons is steak done right!”

We’ll chat with Greg about the revitalization and repositioning of Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. There is more on the plate there than just another premium steakhouse.

For the 3rd time The Olympics is returning to Los Angeles in 2028. Did Los Angeles get a good deal for 2028, or just a deal? The person to ask for an update is our Olympic Games expert, Richard B. Perelman, a Palm Springs resident. Mr. Perelman was the youngest Vice President of The Los Angeles OlympicOrganizing Committee (LAOOC) from 1980 to 1984 overseeing Press Operations. Thereafter he was the Editor of The Final Report, a massive 2-volume tome officially documenting the Games of the 23rd Olympiad (the 1984 Summer Olympics).

Rich is the Editor & Publisher of The Sports Examiner Daily. The goal of The Sports Examiner is to provide comprehensive, independent coverage of the Olympic Games, the events and sports that are featured within it and the greater Olympic Movement, with special focus on United States athletes and teams. In order to serve the widest-possible readership, the site is free to view.

“The Coral Seas Lounge, a hip mid-century style bar is lined with sexy black leather bar-stools and is reminiscent of the upbeat lounges of old Palm Springs. It wraps around the dining room and leads outside to a lush, tropical, 2000 square foot dining patio where a variety of specialty cocktails and old-school favorites are mixed – an ideal place where friends gather and martinis are sipped under the starlit desert sky.”

We spirit Chef Scooter away from her busy kitchen at Brunch for a chat.

“Alcazar Palm Springs (established in 2011 and a member of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels) is a serene and peaceful oasis right in the center of the cultural epicenter known as the uptown design district! This lush and relaxing 34- room boutique hotel is warm, modern & sleek, featuring Imported Italian linens, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces, poolside and private patios, salt water purified pool, cooling misters, Jacuzzi and a beautiful garden courtyard to lounge with your favorite book and glass of wine.”

The hands-on, welcoming and hospitable General Manager is Robert Hunt. We’ll meet him.

For the 3rd time The Olympics is returning to Los Angeles in 2028. Did Los Angeles get a good deal for 2028, or just a deal? The person to ask is our resident Olympic Games expert, Richard B. Perelman.

Mr. Perelman was the youngest Vice President of The Los Angeles OlympicOrganizing Committee (LAOOC) from 1980 to 1984. He also was the Editor of The Final Report, a massive 2-volume tome mandated by the IOC officially documenting the Games of the 23rd Olympiad (the 1984 Summer Olympics).

What does Perelman know about preparing Olympic bids? He assisted with the production of the Los Angeles bids for the 2012 and 2016 Games and in the early preparations for the SCCOG’s bid for the 2024 Games. He has no role whatsoever with the LA2024 bid committee (now the LA2028 bid committee.)

If all the hush-hush, closed-door negotiations between The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Paris and Los Angeles go well Los Angeles will host the Olympics again for the 3rd time in either 2024 or 2028. What does it all mean? Can a modern Olympics even break-even for the host city?

Our Olympics expert and historian, Richard B. Perelman, joins us with a true insider’s perspective. Rich was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) for the 1984 Games and also was the Editor of the 1984 Olympic Games Final Report, a massive two-volume book.

In his daily e-newsletter, The Sports Examiner, Perelman suggested the simultaneous dual city awards for 2024 and 2028 (and the reasoning for this unprecedented approach) weeks before it was reported on in the mainstream media as even a possibility for the IOC to consider.

Rich will encore with us in September with analysis & commentary after the IOC announces their final selections of Host Cities (and order) for the Games in 2024 and 2028. This includes which City (Paris or Los Angeles) is awarded 2024 and then 2028’s Host City.

It’s our salute to the 30th Anniversary of the Games of the Twenty-Third Olympiad, Los Angeles, 1984. Guest Host Rich Perelman was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee responsible for Press Operations and the Editor-in-Chief of the Official Report after the Games. Rich explains the continuing financial legacy to youth sports in Southern California as a direct result of the incredible success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

SYNEK (a recent Kickstarter success story) is a nifty countertop draft system that serves any beer, fresh from the tap, anywhere you want it. Steve Young, based in St. Louis, MO is the Founder. His modest objective is to do for quality beer what Keurig did for single-brewed cups of coffee. With the phenomenal success of his cleverly orchestrated Kickstarter campaign he’s now well on his way…

Chef Andrew Gruel’s (of Slapfish) mission is to make quality seafood popular with everyday folks. He started with one modest food truck in 2010. It quickly expanded into four food trucks. The first Slapfish brick and mortar restaurant opened in Huntington Beach a year later. Laguna Beach recently launched and more restaurants are in the works.

James Republic in Long Beach orchestrates one of the very best, honest Farm-to-Fork dinner series around. It happens monthly on a Sunday under the name of the Dinner Bell Supper Series. The restaurant’s chef, David MacLennan, joins us with the specifics.

Every year in Northern Baja is the Fiestas del la Vendimina celebrating the bounty of wine and food in the region over a two-week period. One of the best single events is Chef Javier Plascencia’s (Tijuana’s Mision 16) “From Farm and Vineyard to Your Table” dinner at his ranch, Finca Altozano, in Valle de Guadalupe. It’s a 6-course, wine paired feast.

Time to hit the OC Fair in its final week. We’ll hear about Bakeology and all the tasty culinary events in the OC Promenade Building. Also the winning Fair Food item!

As part of our tribute to the Los Angeles Olympics we’ll also be looking back at the food served to the spectators. Surprisingly there was lots more variety to the offerings than plain boiled hot dogs and bagged chips. Innovations in food for 1984 are now part of guest expectations in 2014!

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

SYNEK (a recent Kickstarter success story) is a nifty countertop draft system that serves any beer, fresh from the tap, anywhere you want it. Steve Young, based in St. Louis, MO is the Founder. His modest objective is to do for quality beer what Keurig did for single-brewed cups of coffee. As a result of the inspired, oversubscribed Kickstarter campaign he’s well on his way…

“In 2013, Steve Young started to take notice of the craft beer industry as a stock market analyst. He wanted to know how the craft beer industry was making these great strides and what risk factors could cause it to become a “bubble” like the industry saw in the 1990s.”

He knew the industry was growing with thousands of amazing brands created every week. However, to his surprise, every brewer he spoke with complained about the exact same issue : “We make amazing beer, but we can’t get it into our customers’ homes and make money at the same time. If there was a way to create a growler that maintained our beer’s quality longer than two days, it would change everything.”

“Steve was so moved by the brewers’ intense frustration that he quit his job to assemble the best beer engineering team in the world and implement a solution to this beer packaging epidemic.”

Food trucks have proven to be a worthwhile testing ground for innovative food concepts. A great example is the fast growing Slapfish with a limited service, fast-casual restaurant in Huntington Beach located in a strip center. A new Laguna Beach location (across Pacific Coast Highway from the beach) launched earlier in the Summer.

The partners started with one modest food truck serving the OC in 2009. By 2011 they had four trucks serving both Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Executive Chef (and co-founder) Andrew Gruel is with us to fill us in on the Slapfish tale. New locations both in the United States (airports, too) and the Middle East are on the way.

They like to characterize Slapfish as a modern seafood shack. It’s a real American seafood experience that revolves around fresh, sustainable fish, prepared simply, but delivering big flavors.

James Republic, located in Downtown Long Beach, organizes one of the very best Farm-to-Fork dinner series around. It happens monthly on a Sunday under the name of the Dinner Bell Supper Series. The proprietor of James Republic, Chef Dean James Max, developed the original concept. The restaurant’s chef, David MacLennan, joins us with the specifics.

On the Sunday morning of The Dinner Bell Supper the culinary team gathers at the Long Beach Farmers Market to search for the ideal ingredients to serve as the basis for that evenings’ family-style supper. For the guests the evening begins with market inspired cocktails and passed canapes at 4:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., the dinner bell rings and the guests gather at a long, communal table to enjoy California wines and a bountiful three-course menu prepared by Chefs James Dean Max, Chef David MacLennan and their team. Area guest farmers take part in the engaging dinner conversation. The idea is for former strangers to become friends over a superb meal (with a side of good conversation) without this being forced.

The August 24th dinner is sold out. Future dates are September 14th, October 26th, and November 23rd.

Every year in Northern Baja is the Fiestas de la Vendimina (The Harvest Festival) celebrating the bounty of wine and food in the region over a two-week period. The Festival gives thanks and celebrates the beginning of a (hoped for) bountiful grape harvest.

Prominent guest chefs from Southern California and Mexico are part of the culinary team. This year Ori Menashe from Bestia and Timothy Hollingsworth (The Restaurant at The Broad & ex-French Laundry chef de cuisine ) will be part of Chef Javier’s high-profile guest chefs’ team.

It’s our salute to the 30th Anniversary of the Games of the Twenty-Third Olympiad, Los Angeles,1984. Our Guest Host, Rich Perelman, was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee responsible for Press Operations and the Editor-in-Chief of the Official Report after the Games. Rich explains the continuing financial legacy to youth sports in Southern California as a direct result of the incredible success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Every Olympic Organizing Committee is mandated by the International Olympic Committee to document their Games in the Official report. It’s two volumes. One volume is a comprehensive recipe on how the Games were produced with some analysis. The other volume is the complete results and photos.

Rich Perelman was the Editor-in-Chief of the Official Report for the Los Angeles Games. The finished, two-volume report is 1,552 pages and weighs in at 38 lbs ! A full-time staff of 25 was responsible for the effort on a budget of some $4.33 million.

Time to hit the OC Fair in Costa Mesa in its final week. Food is always front row center!

We’ll hear about Bakeology and all the other tasty culinary events in the OC Promenade Building.

Rachel Klemek of the award-winning Blackmarket Bakery in Costa Mesa is programming Bakeology at the Fair. Rachel and her staff are mixing, kneading, whipping and blending at the Bakeology exhibit in the Culinary Arts Building (The OC Promenade) at the Fair.

Also with us is the Fair’s Communications Director ,Robin Wachner. Robin will fill us in on all the Culinary activities in the OC Promenade Building.

We’ll also talk about the top vendor food item at this year’s Fair. 70 entrants competed and there was one big winner! Unbelievably it’s not even deep-fried!

We’re back to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and now talking about the food for the spectators.

Peter Ueberroth, the architect of The Games, wanted there to be more variety and freshness in the food available for purchase by the spectators at the Los Angeles Olympics than typically found in sports facilities of the day.

While common today 30 years ago it was unusual to see some of these items. Fresh fruit cups were on the menu as well as yogurt. Among the fresh sandwiches on the menu was the choice of a Vegetarian Pita. In addition to the usual ice cream novelties there was a place for natural Frozen Fruit Bars.

Food and beverage sales for the 16 days totaled over $11 million dollars. 5.8 million guests were served!

Fifteen years ago when fine-dining restaurants located outside of the protective umbrella of luxury hotels were at a low ebb in Los Angeles Chef Josiah Citrin sold his stake in a very popular Santa Monica dinner house and went out on his own to open a ultra-luxe, destination, freestanding, fine-dining, contemporary French restaurant with California accents. That was the start of Melisse. All these years later it still impresses.

Josiah is a new member of the Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation’s prestigious Culinary Council. On November 10th Josiah and five other culinary superstars will join forces to cook an extraordinary six course repast at Melisse in Santa Monica to raise funds for The Foundation. Two different levels of wine-pairings are available for a supplement.

The esteemed group of chefs includes Gavin Kaysen, the Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Operations for Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud in New York, Palm Beach, and Toronto. He has previously represented the USA in the Bocuse d’Or culinary competition. For reservations please call 310.395.0881.

The Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation, established in 2008, is a non-profit organization led by a Board of Directors of renowned chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Jerome Bocuse (Paul’s son.) The Foundation is devoted to recruiting, training, and financially supporting the promising young American chefs who compete on behalf of the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition, held in Lyon, France every two years. Think of it as the Olympics of the culinary world…